Chapter 26: To Tartarus!

7/25/09

EARLY MORNING

Minato woke up early today and met Junpei on the way to school. Last night they headed to Tartarus and Yukari almost wanted to kill Aigis.

Apparently when Minato had asked them to head on separate ways, Yukari noticed that Aigis was secretly following him.

He laughed to himself as he remembered the events from yesterday, I just thought that it was a coincidence that I met Aigis in every other corner I turned into, and then on the 100th floor, Yukari just snapped and almost attacked Aigis.

Aigis!, she shouted, I know he's your highest priority and all but when the leader asks you to go separately, you GO separately! You don't have to following him around; he can do fine by himself!

Yukari's face was so red from anger, Minato almost laughed in front of her face. Hahahaa! She was adorable.

Back in reality, Junpei blabbered animatedly, "Dude, summer break starts tomorrow! It's time to meet some cuties at the beach!"

He suddenly toned down into a whisper, "Ya know, if you think about it, we're pretty lucky to be living in the dorm... Mitsuru-senpai, Yuka-tan, and Fuuka... They're all hotties, don't ya think?"

Minato rubbed his chin, "True that."

Well Mitsuru is THE most popular girl in school (I mean seriously.), but she's kinda out of reach for normal guys… (except for Akihiko maybe.) Fuuka's quiet and all but she's really popular with all the class A boys, nerds and honor students… Yukari though…

Minato stared into the distance, she's… She's the most eligible girl in the entire school. Half the boys in school are head over heels for her… I mean… she can be kinda bimbo sometimes but she's cute and she's got such a fragile heart... *sigh* There's gonna be some tough competition there.

Junpei waved his hand in front of Minato, "Yoooo! Stop daydreamin already!"

Minato snapped out of his delusion, "H-huh? Oh right."

Junpei sighed, "yeah, anyway. It's gonna be real hard to be anything more than just friends with any of em'."

Minato chuckled as they approached the school, "What? Are you interested in one of them or something?"

Junpei stuck his tongue out at him, "I mean Senpai is the smartest girl in school and the President of Student Council... I bet she only dates uber-nerds, even though she's so god damn gorgeous, pffft!"

He rubbed his neck, "And then there's Fuuka... But, she's super shy... You'd have to be really careful..."

They reached the school gates, "And that leaves Yuka-tan… But she's pretty damn popular, so she could prolly get any guy she wants..."

Minato cringed. That's true. Junpei suddenly grabbed his shoulders, "Hey, don't tell any of them I was talking about this, alright!"

Minato laughed nervously, "Yeah yeah… I won't betray you."

2-F CLASSROOM

AFTERSCHOOL

Yukari turned behind from her seat and laid her chin on Minato's table, "Hey, are you free later?"

Minato looked like he was about to say something when his Kendo coach rushed into the almost empty classroom and dragged Minato out of his seat.

He stood the confused boy upright and spoke quickly, "M-Minato-san! You probably don't know about this but we signed you up for a Kendo tournament this summer."

Yukari watched quietly, whoa… trippy coach.

Minato nodded as the coach continued to speak friskily, "You're free right? Right. Anyway, I'm here to inform you that for the next week you're gonna have a Kendo boot camp, the match is on the 2nd of August."

The coach wiped the sweat off of his temples, "There's a really tough competitor called Hayase, he's a monster, but you'll be fine. Remember, you gotta cover for Kaz since he's not competing this year, god bless his knee."

The tall man turned towards the door, "Remember 27th July to 2nd August! You must come alright? We'll gonna work you like a horse!"

He left as suddenly as he'd arrive.

Minato glanced at Yukari. She was trying to contain her laughter, "Hahahaa! So I guess you won't be free for the first week of summer vacation huh?"

Minato nodded sadly. Yukari grabbed his bag, "But you're free now right? Let's head out to port island station, there's this really cool movie showing now, let's go watch!"

Minato smiled, he leaned in to Yukari and took his bag from her, "Alright."

DARKHOUR

TARTARUS

FLOORS 110 to 120

Akihiko wandered around the maze-like corridors as he searched for the stairs. Tsk… where could that damn flight of stairs be? We've been stuck on this floor for a while already…

He reached for his transceiver and hollered for Minato, "Hey! Have you found the stairs? I can't find it anywhere…"

Minato's cool voice blared over the transceiver, "No, not yet. Um, I'll get Aigis to locate Yukari and we'll meet up at the access point."

"Alright." Akihiko ruffled his silver hair as he walked leisurely towards the access point; we've cleared out the shadows on this floor… so we just gotta go find the stairs—

Suddenly, a strange clanking noise echoed from the left corner. Akihiko, curious, approached the noise, maybe just another shadow… probably missed it cause it was so small… heh.

Akihiko broke into a run and turned in to left corner. His grey eyes trained itself into the darkness, Huh…? What's going on…?

TARTARUS

LOBBY

Junpei lay on the cold floor, his large sword next to him. "Aw maaaaan… Why'd he pick Aigis over meeeee…"

Mitsuru yawned softly, her shining rapier resting in its high grade leather sheath, "…Maybe it's because she's a mechanical maiden and you're…"

Junpei waved his arms wildly, "No,no,no,no,no Senpai! Don't say it." He receded into a ball, "Maaan… I'm so booooored!"

Mitsuru sat down gingerly on one of the steps, "Mmhp… Iori, you shouldn't lay on the ground, it's quite unsanitary."

Fuuka giggled softly as Junpei rolled over and sat up, growling every now and then. She quickly returned to monitor the team's progress.

Mitsuru smiled, well, I'm no better, sitting on these stony stairs… Ngh… I hope Akihiko's alright. "Yamagishi, how is their progress?"

Fuuka mumbled telepathically from within Lucia, "Minato-san had the party go their separate ways… The shadows at that level should be fine for them to handle on their own but…"

Mitsuru furrowed her brows, she instinctively griped the handle of her rapier, "What, What is it, Yamagishi?"

"…I sense something strange… W-wait a second…!" Fuuka panicked, "M-Minato-san! Can you hear me?"

Junpei sprung up quickly, "Huh? What's goin on?"

Mitsuru replied without even looking at him, "Yamagishi sensed something… They might be in danger."

Junpei felt his shirt stick to his back from the sweat, "W-what? We have to go after them!"

Mitsuru grabbed Junpei's sleeve as the boy ran after the teleportation portal, "If we go after them now, we might end up seriously compromising the operation."

Junpei gritted his teeth, "But we can't just STAND here!"

"I…" Mitsuru started, but was interrupted by Fuuka, "Mitsuru-senpai…!"

"Y-Yes, Yamagishi, Are they safe? Have you informed them of the dangers?" Mitsuru said, her red fringe wet with sweat.

Fuuka shouted telepathically, "Be careful! I sense Death! Akihiko-senpai's in trouble!"

Mitsuru's eyes went wide, "The Reaper…! B-But we can't go up there! We'll compromise the—"

"We don't have time for this shit!" Junpei snarled. Mitsuru was stunned.

"Look, I'm sorry senpai but my friends and my god damned best friend is in there, I won't just stand out here doing nothin when I know I can do something to help them." He tugged at his sword as he glared at Mitsuru.

I know we have to help them, but… "Iori, I understand that you have reservations, so do I. They are my friends too, the only ones I've got, but I cannot risk their lives by charging up there, into the unknown." Mitsuru reasoned, but her heart ached as she thought about Akihiko.

Junpei calmed down, "Ngh… I…"

"*sigh* If we wish to help, we need to keep our faith in them. Arisato will know what to do."

"I hope so." Junpei grimaced.

TARTARUS

FLOORS 100 TO 120

Minato met up with Yukari and Aigis at the access point. "Yukari… Aigis… Hm? Where's Akihiko?"

"Probably on his way… There's nothing else here right?" Yukari mumbled as she loaded her bow.

Suddenly, Fuuka's voice rang through the air, "Be careful…! I sense death…!"

Minato quickly unsheathed his sword, "The Reaper, we have to go… Damn it, where's Akihiko-senpai?"

Fuuka replied telepathically, "…Akihiko-senpai's in trouble…! He's south… Turn left at the last corridor…!"

Minato nodded, he ran south, towards a dark corner in the left. Yukari followed right behind, but Aigis was faster. Tsk.

"W-Wait up…!" She ran as fast as she could, Minato turned into the corner and disappeared, Aigis followed right behind.

Tsk…! Wait up dammit! You're always… out of reach…! Yukari lifted her thighs higher and dashed into the corner.

Minato turned into the left corner and saw the dual revolver wielding Reaper. It glared at Minato, and looked as if it was smiling at Minato. Grinning at me would be more precise…

Aigis loaded her gun and took aim, "Commencing Attack."

Yukari ran in from behind, "Huh? W-Wait Aigis, no!"

"Huh? Yukari, what are you-" Minato held her back.

Aigis fired. "Tsk! No! Let go of me...! You idiot…!" She broke free and slid; she ducked underneath the Reaper, barely dodging its revolver.

"Yukari!" Minato motioned at Aigis to distract the towering being. He summoned Orpheus, who had learned Agilao from a skillcard, and burned away at the flailing cloth worn by Death itself.

With the cape burned away, The Reaper was actually a charred skeleton/spirit; it spun its dual revolvers and shot at Minato, who managed to just roll over, hitting his head on the narrow corridor.

Yukari had spotted Akihiko laying in the darkness, behind the black behemoth, but it seemed that Aigis and Minato didn't see him. If Aigis continues shooting, she might hit Akihiko-senpai!

She had barely survived when she ran under the Reaper, sustaining some scratches on her calf and shoulders. She held Akihiko as she tried to wake him up, "Akihiko-senpai…! Wake up!"

Something flew past Yukari, "Shit…! Aigis! Stop shooting!"

"Yukari! Run, quickly! Take Akihiko with you," She could hear Minato screaming at the top of his lungs. His voice was strained when he told her to take Akihiko with her.

W-wait a second… So he knew…? She felt another bullet graze her arm, "Augh…! Ngh… Damn it, we have to go… C'mon Akihiko-senpai.."

She tugged at the unconscious senior and pulled him away with her. Suddenly, she heard a loud painful crack from the wall and saw that Minato had hit his head.

He growled something incorrigible and stood up, his hand against the wall for support; Aigis couldn't do anything but to continue the rain of bullets to distract the Reaper.

"M-Minato…!" Yukari screamed. In her arms, Akihiko squirmed. "Ngh… What's… all the ruckus…?"

"W-WHAT? A-Akihiko-senpai! Y-you're awake!" Yukari jumped, Akihiko stood up on his own, "H-uh…? I was just knocked out for a while… Damn it… that guy's tough…"

"W-we have to get out of here… Senpai, can you go off first?" Yukari readied her bow, "I'll go get Minato and Aigis."

Akihiko wanted to refuse, but his head hurt and he was obviously not in shape to help out, its way too powerful… He nodded and broke off into a run.

Yukari turned behind and joined in the fight, she tossed a Trafuri Gem and a cloud of smoke surrounded the Reaper. Yukari thought she heard it snarl.

She quickly dragged Minato out, Aigis followed ran, ten feet? Make a right turn here... it's around 2 corridors down... Damn it, maybe I should have brought my god damned compass. "Yukari-san…!"

"Not now, Aigis!" She snapped as they ran away from the sound of clanking chains.

"N-no… Yukari… You're bleeding…" Minato mumbled, he shook off her arms and tore away at his shirt.

"W-What…? What are you doing…?" She felt her face burn as Minato removed his shirt and tore out the sleeves; he bandaged up her bullet wound and tugged at it tightly.

"There… You can cast dia on it later when we get somewhere safe…" He mumbled softly, hardly loud enough to hear. As the clanking chains echoed through the long hallways, Minato gave in to the throbbing pain on his head.

"Minato-san has passed out, we must hurry and get him to safety," Aigis said as she loaded her guns again, "I will distract the creature as you take him to the access point."

"Aigis, no!" Yukari snapped.

She ignored her and started to walk away. Yukari was at her boiling point. "Enough! You get back here! You say you'd listen to orders but you never do!" She growled, "I told you, time and time again, don't sneak into his room, don't stray away on your own, don't follow him around…!"

Aigis stood motionless; I did not expect this…. Yukari-san is very upset.

"Aigis, you may think that what you do is for the best for Minato, but sometimes it hurts others," Yukari calmed down a little, "If you go off now and get yourself hurt, w-we'll be left defenseless now won't we? A-And I'm not exactly in any shape to protect Minato by myself if we get caught by the Reaper again."

Aigis stared at Yukari, Is this Yukari-san's own way of saying that she needs me? … What is this that I feel? The clanking chains got louder, Hm… Regardless, I do not have time for this. I must get Yukari-san and Minato-san to safety.

Aigis suddenly grabbed Yukari and pulled her along. The confused junior held onto Minato tightly as she followed Aigis.

TARTARUS

LOBBY

Akihiko had come back alone, wounded and bruised. Mitsuru embraced him briefly, before she realized that Junpei and Fuuka were chuckling softly in the corner.

Akihiko grinned slyly, "Yukari's bringing Minato and Aigis back soon."

Fuuka closed her eyes as she summoned Lucia, "…They're coming back… but Yukari-chan and Minato-san's hurt…!"

Junpei jumped, "W-what? B-but They're comin home right?"

Just as he spoke, a bright light engulfed the lobby and the three musketeers sat gingerly on the cold Tartarus floor. "We're back." Aigis held up a peace sign.

"Aigis! Minato! Yuka-tan! Whoo hoo! You got us worried there!" Junpei knelt down beside the unconscious leader, "H-huh? W-what..! Is he alright? Tell me he's fine, damn it…"

Yukari groaned, "Ngh… yeah… He'll be fine… But he'll be feeling that in the morning… Maybe a small concussion…"

Fuuka sighed, "Thank goodness…"

Akihiko held onto Mitsuru for support, "Yukari… Your shoulder!"

"Huh? Oh yeah… It's just a scrape; a quick dia will fix things…" She closed her eyes and Io appeared behind her.

Junpei watched excitedly, even when he had seen Yukari's persona so many times before, it was always cool when she summoned up Io and healed everybody in a blink of an eye.

Minato stirred, but did not wake, he mumbled, "Mmph… Homework…"

"Hahahaa! The dude's asleep." Junpei laughed, he picked up his friend and flung his arm over Junpei's shoulders, "Let's get him home, eh?"

DORM

12.02am

Everybody headed up to their own rooms, tired and bruised. Junpei dragged Minato's sleeping body up to his room. "You're a lucky dude, you know that, bro?"

"Mmph…"

Junpei chuckled. Behind him, Yukari laughed, "What are you doing?"

"Nothin." Junpei pouted his lips, "Hey, I've been meanin to ask ya…"

Yukari was suspicious, "W-What…?"

"Oh nothing, just that uh… Y'know," Junpei grinned slyly, "His shirt was kinda torn and unbuttoned and stuff when he came back… Did you girls rape him or somethin?"

Yukari would've screamed if it wasn't so late at night, instead she screeched in a very hushed tone, "WHAT? NO! I-I had a wound, he noticed and tore away at his shirt to help me make a make-shift bandage, that's all!"

Junpei laughed, they had reached Minato's room, he stopped just outside the door, "Alright alright… geez… Heh heh heh…"

"Tsk… You and your stupid creepy laugh… Don't you go and spread rumors, you hear me, Stupei?"

"Only if you stop callin me that!" He spat, she knows that it's my pet peeve man… Pffft!

Yukari chuckled softly and returned to her room, You'd wish, Stupei!

Author's Note: Whoo Hoo! It's done! Two more weeks until holidays are over, I'm busy on Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday's Christmas! Time flies huh? I'll try to write another chapter before christmas, (well you heard me, TRY, I don't give any promises mind you! But most probably I would have another one up by the 25th.)

This chapter has had the least amount of in game dialog, cause it's in Tartarus and people don't say much in Tartarus. They have a run in with the famed Reaper and escape with Minato getting raped by a robot and a 16/17 year old girl. (...) Oh I know what Nc-16 images you people are conjurin up in that head of yours now.

My writing is degrading, I think. I'm reading it through and I find that it's kind of stupid. I'm also running out of words. Maybe I should start reading the dictionary again. HAHAH, YES I USED TO DO THAT. You know, those cheap dictionaries you buy from the local bookstore near the NTUC? (Readers from S'pore would understand)

Anyway, In the next chapter; Ken Amada makes his juvenile entrance! I can just smell the Pedo-centric fanfiction writers stir up their imaginations!